life lesson

[el dub]

 










































HE WALKED UP AND TIED HIS OLD MULE TO THE HITCHING POST.









AS HE STOOD THERE, BRUSHING SOME OF THE DUST FROM HIS FACE AND CLOTHES,  





A YOUNG GUNSLINGER STEPPED OUT OF THE SALOON WITH A GUN IN ONE HAND AND A BOTTLE OF WHISKEY IN THE OTHER.





THE YOUNG GUNSLINGER LOOKED AT THE OLD MAN AND LAUGHED, "HEY OLD MAN, HAVE YOU EVER DANCED?"











THE OLD MAN LOOKED UP AT THE GUNSLINGER AND SAID, "NO, I NEVER DID DANCE; NEVER REALLY WANTED TO."











A CROWD HAD GATHERED AS THE GUNSLINGER GRINNED AND SAID, "WELL, OLD MAN, YOU'RE GONNA DANCE NOW,"





AND STARTED SHOOTING AT THE OLD MAN'S FEET.











THE OLD  PROSPECTOR, NOT WANTING TO GET HIS TOES BLOWN OFF, STARTED HOPPING AROUND. EVERYBODY WAS





LAUGHING.











WHEN HIS LAST BULLET HAD BEEN FIRED, THE YOUNG GUNSLINGER, STILL LAUGHING, HOLSTERED HIS GUN AND





TURNED AROUND TO GO BACK INTO THE SALOON.











THE OLD MAN TURNED TO HIS PACK MULE, PULLED OUT A DOUBLE-BARRELED SHOTGUN, AND COCKED BOTH HAMMERS.





THE LOUD CLICKS CARRIED CLEARLY THROUGH THE DESERT AIR. THE CROWD STOPPED LAUGHING IMMEDIATELY.











THE YOUNG GUNSLINGER HEARD THE SOUNDS TOO, AND HE TURNED AROUND VERY SLOWLY, THE SILENCE WAS ALMOST DEAFENING.





THE CROWD WATCHED AS THE YOUNG GUNMAN STARED AT THE OLD MAN AND THE LARGE GAPING HOLES OF THOSE TWIN BARRELS.











THE BARRELS OF THE SHOTGUN NEVER WAVERED IN THE OLD MAN'S HANDS, AS HE QUIETLY SAID, "SON, HAVE YOU EVER KISSED





A MULE'S ASS?" THE GUNSLINGER SWALLOWED HARD AND SAID, "NO SIR, BUT I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO."











THERE ARE A FEW LESSONS HERE FOR ALL OF US IN THIS STORY:











1 - Never be arrogant.





2 - Don't waste ammunition.





3 - Whiskey makes you think you're smarter than you are.





4 - Always, always make sure you know who has the power.





5 - Don't mess with old men; they didn't get old by being stupid.

[twodko]

Amen to that. 

[polywideblock]

 

[flyinlow]

 ,  I'll have to barrow that one.

[Al]

well said